the monolith that is the UL

I went straight up the Manuscripts reading room. Well, not really straight up because you can't go anywhere in straight line in that library. Anyway, I found the room and handed my list to the librarian. That's when all the craziness started. She informed me that none of the items I wanted to look at were actually housed at the UL. Instead, they're located in the individual college libraries. I had assumed that while the materials were listed by college, they were all housed in central location for safe-keeping. This was most definitely not the case. I admit that I should have found this out earlier on my own, but, after all, the person I had emailed at the library about ordering my items in advance had never replied to my many emails. I could already imagine how tired and annoyed going round to all the individual college libraries was going to make me. But, there was nothing else to do, but do the footwork and hopefully get some work done.

The librarian had given me some sketchy directions to the three colleges (Kings, Trinity, and St. Johns) that I needed go to, but they were pretty much useless because of the way the college buildings are organized. Each of the colleges consists of one or more quadrangles of buildings with a central courtyard of grass in the middle. The only way to enter a college is through a gate into the courtyard, and, even if one dares to enter, there are no building signs to let you know where particular parts of the college (like the library) are housed. Visitors are only permitted to enter the college through the main gate, where the porter's lodge is located. The porter's take the entry fee (yes, you have to pay just to go in and walk around). However, as I was fortunate enough to discover, a library card and a backpack will pretty much get you in to every college whenever and wherever you want without paying.

I quickly concluded that the best course of action was to find the main gate and ask where the library was. This turned out to be a very smart thing, as there was simply no way I could have found any of the libraries on my own. I also decided pictures along the way, just in case they wouldn't let me back in again (which turned out not be an issue, after all). The first library I went to was at Trinity College, one of the most beautiful colleges on campus. I walked in, and asked where I should go to find my materials. I was quickly told that I might not be able to see them at all, and would most definitely not be able to without an appointment. I'm sure I looked more than a little anxious at this point, and the other librarian who came up as I was being told that information took my list and said he'd check to see if the items were available. The big problem here is that Trinity's Wren (as Christopher Wren, architect of many of London most beautiful churches) Library was being refurbished with new wiring over the summer, so some parts of the collection simply weren't available and the space they had made in another part of the library for readers was very limited. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment for Wednesday and was very happy that I had allowed myself several days to do both research and sightseeing on this trip.

the first quad of Trinity in rather gloomy weather

the Wren Library in sunny weather -- I bet it sure is nice in there

the first courtyard of St. Johns

St. Johns library, an old building with odd new front

By the time I got my letter, I needed to eat some lunch and waste time until the library would reopen after lunch, so I went to this café called Tatties (as in jacket potatoes). I got my sandwich and went down to the nearly empty basement to eat in quiet and do a little work on the travelogue. The food was good, and I felt much better with full stomach and something to cool to drink. As I was working on my computer, the Italian guy from behind the counter came down to tidy up the tables and asked me if I was a student at Cambridge. I explained that I was visitor doing research for my dissertation. At this point the fifty-year old guy asked me if he could show me around Cambridge. The man was trying to pick me up - how dumb did I look. I quickly assured him that I was staying with a cousin who was going to show me around. This was evidently enough for him, and he left me alone for the rest of time I was there. I was more than a little surprised at the whole thing and found a little funny and unsettling. Needless to say, I didn't go back to Tatties.

After lunch, I went back to Kings College library and presented my letter. I was able to look at the manuscript letters and finished with them in very little time. I spent the few hours I had left before Jason was picking me up to walk around the colleges I had just sped through on my way to their libraries and take more some pictures.

first courtyard of Kings College

the gatehouse of Kings College

the Kings College Library entrance (have to know what you're looking for)

the Kings College manuscript reading room (through the door) -- I took this picture very quickly as I was leaving;-)